The Architecture of Disability: Buildings, Cities, and Landscapes beyond Access

The Architecture of Disability is a radical critique of architecture that emphasizes the need to modify and increase access, but instead calls for a radical reorientation of this perspective by situating experiences of impairment as a new foundation for the built environment. David Gissen demonstrates how disability haunts the history and practice of architecture, deconstructing the prevailing functionalist approach to accommodating disabled people and advocating for an architectural design that fully integrates disabled persons into its production.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2023
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

The Architecture of Disability is a groundbreaking critique of architecture that places disability at the heart of the built environment. It challenges the traditional approach to accommodating disabled people in architecture by asserting that physical capacity is essential to the conception of all designed space. Through a deconstruction of various historic sites, landscape designs, and urban spaces, David Gissen demonstrates how disability haunts the history and practice of architecture. The book presents a unique challenge to current modes of architectural practice, theory, and education by advocating for an architectural design that fully integrates disabled persons into its production. It suggests that certain incapacities can offer us the means to positively reimagine the roots of architecture.

The Architecture of Disability offers a radical reorientation of the perspective on disability in the built environment. It emphasizes the need for modification and increased access, but instead proposes that experiences of impairment should be a new foundation for the design of buildings and spaces. The book challenges the prevailing functionalist approach to accommodating disabled people in architecture, arguing that physical capacity should be considered as an essential factor in the conception of all designed space.

David Gissen, the author of The Architecture of Disability, demonstrates how disability has haunted the history and practice of architecture by examining various historic sites, landscape designs, and urban spaces. He deconstructs the prevailing functionalist approach to accommodating disabled people, which focuses on modifying existing structures to make them accessible. Instead, Gissen asserts that physical capacity should be the primary consideration in the design of all designed space, from homes and offices to public spaces and parks.

The book presents a unique challenge to current modes of architectural practice, theory, and education. It advocates for an architectural design that fully integrates disabled persons into its production, rather than merely accommodating them. This means looking beyond traditional notions of accessibility and considering how certain incapacities can offer us the means to positively reimagine the roots of architecture.

One of the key ideas proposed by The Architecture of Disability is the concept of "the construction of disability." This refers to the idea that disability should not be seen as a problem to be solved or accommodated, but rather as a new foundation for the design of buildings and spaces. Gissen argues that certain incapacities, such as blindness or deafness, can offer us unique perspectives and insights that can enrich the design of architecture. For example, blind designers may be more attuned to the sensory experiences of spaces, while deaf designers may be more aware of the acoustic properties of buildings.

The book also challenges the notion that architectural design should be focused solely on functionality and efficiency. Instead, it advocates for a design that considers the emotional and psychological needs of disabled persons. This includes creating spaces that are inclusive and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their ability or disability. It also means designing buildings that are visually stimulating and engaging, which can benefit individuals with cognitive impairments or visual impairments.

In conclusion, The Architecture of Disability is a groundbreaking critique of architecture that places disability at the heart of the built environment. It challenges the traditional approach to accommodating disabled people in architecture by asserting that physical capacity should be the primary consideration in the design of all designed space. The book presents a unique challenge to current modes of architectural practice, theory, and education by advocating for an architectural design that fully integrates disabled persons into its production. By recontextualizing the history of architecture through the discourse of disability, The Architecture of Disability offers us the means to positively reimagine the roots of architecture and create a more inclusive and accessible world for all individuals.

Weight: 272g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781517912505